Moran Mailer Targets Deeds

We're not sure what to make of the recent polls that seem to show some kind of movement by Creigh Deeds in the governor's race. As our polling director Jon Cohen has explained, we think some of them are unreliable. And we think polling is exceptionally difficult in a three-way primary in which turnout is expected to be low.

But, for what it's worth, we can add this bit of evidence to a growing picture of possible momentum: The other campaigns seems to be a bit anxious of the guy from Bath.

After weeks of taking on Terry McAuliffe in mailings, radio and tv ads, trying to suggest his record as a businessman is not what he has claimed, Brian Moran has a new target in a flier hitting mailboxes today: Deeds.

The mailing hits Deeds on guns, particularly the NRA's endorsement of his 2005 run for attorney general--over Republican Bob McDonnell.

"By working so hard to get the NRA's approval, Creigh Deeds has lost ours," read the mailing.

Deeds has the most conservative record of the three on guns. He's supported repealing the ban on concealed weapons in restaurants that serve alcohol and opposed the state law limiting handgun purchases to one a month. It is a record that will trouble some Democrats, particularly in more liberal Northern Virginia.

It's possible the mailing has been planned for a while. Campaigns typically have fliers like this one in the can, in case of need. But it's interesting that Moran felt the need.

"We have always believed that voters deserve to know candidate's records before they chose a nominee. Creigh Deeds can't run away from his record any more than Terry McAuliffe can," said Moran spokesman Jesse Ferguson. "Brian believes our laws are mostly appropriate where Mark Warner and Tim Kaine put them."

Deeds has been open about his support for gun rights--but also presented a sort of Nixon-goes-to-China argument suggesting he is the actually the best positioned of the three Democrats to take on gun issues.

"It's going to take someone like Creigh - with credibility on Second Amendment rights - to build the consensus we need to finally close the gun show loophole. That's what he'll do when he's Governor," said Deeds spokesman Brooke Borkenhagen.

in fact Deeds voted to allow
those CONVICTED of domestic violence to be able to legally obtain firearms. He voted AGAINST the Democratic governor in doing so. Not just those accused, those CONVICTED. As one who worked with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, trust me the level of danger represented in the few cases leading to CONVICTION for domestic violence is DIRE.

How many of us have read of stalked women and victims of domestic violence whose partners have had a court order
to leave them alone KILL THEM? Let them have MORE guns?

Deeds thinks there should be no limit on the number of guns purchased per month. He's voted against sensible restrictions.

I have a picture of guys carrying guns into bars in Northern Virginia and elsewhere in the state. I think of this as tantamount to insanity. Drinking and driving is a crime, but drinking and having a gun in a public bar is fine? TRULY NUTS.